US5130956A - Clock - Google Patents

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Publication number
US5130956A
US5130956A US07/694,100 US69410091A US5130956A US 5130956 A US5130956 A US 5130956A US 69410091 A US69410091 A US 69410091A US 5130956 A US5130956 A US 5130956A
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United States
Prior art keywords
hand
minute
shaft
hour
rotation
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US07/694,100
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English (en)
Inventor
Masahiro Ueda
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication of US5130956A publication Critical patent/US5130956A/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/008—Mounting, assembling of components
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B45/00—Time pieces of which the indicating means or cases provoke special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects
    • G04B45/04—Time pieces with invisible drive, e.g. with hands attached to a rotating glass disc
    • G04B45/043—Time pieces with invisible drive, e.g. with hands attached to a rotating glass disc the clockwork being positioned in the hands or pendulum
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/14—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means incorporating a stepping motor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a large-sized clock such as the one which is principally installed on the exterior of a building or a flower clock which is installed outdoors.
  • the clock of this kind is known well as flower clock, tower clock and the like.
  • a long hand, short hand and second hand of the clock are disposed on the surface of a wall or on the surface of the ground, and the hands are connected with and supported by a driving mechanism which is installed in the wall or in the inner surface of the wall or in the ground or the like.
  • the driving mechanism is manufactured in one unit of a device composed of driving sections which generate different movements of each hand to provide each one of the hands with necessary movement.
  • the driving device installed in the ground or in the wall and inconvenient for checking and maintenance operations. Since the driving device is made up in one unit which is composed of the driving mechanisms of each hand, even one hand gets out of order, the whole structure of the driving device has to be checked, and the operation becomes unnecessarily complicated.
  • flower clock for instance, flower can not be planted around the central part of the clock since driving section is buried in the ground thereat.
  • driving section is buried in the ground thereat.
  • an operation room has to be provided at the back of the clock for checking and maintenance operations.
  • a main object of the present invention is to provide a clock wherein driving mechanisms are skillfully mounted by making good use of hands so that installation, checking and maintenance operations can be easily performed without the necessity of providing an operation room at the back of the clock in the case of a tower clock, and in the case of a flower clock, flower can be planted even at the location around the central part of the clock.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a clock wherein a driving mechanism is mounted in a hand for rotatively driving the hand which is rotatably supported by a shaft so that the driving mechanism and its driving shaft and hand are independently located outside the location of installation for driving the hand whereby installation, checking and maintenance operations can be easily performed since any special driving space is not required.
  • a still another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive and long-life clock which is simple in structure wherein a driving mechanism is housed in a hand so that the exposure to the outside is prevented without a need of any special case, and the appearance is not marred.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost clock which is equipped with further simplified structure wherein a driving source is arranged in one of the driving mechanisms that are provided in each one of the hands whose speed of rotatiion is different from each other, and by connecting the driving mechanisms about the shafts in such a way to satisfy the speed ratio of mutual driving mechanisms, the driving mechanism of each hand can be actuated by the driving source.
  • a still further object of the present invention is to provide a power-saving type clock in simple wiring construction by arranging a solar panel as power source for a driving source on the upper surface of the hand in which a driving mechanism is provided.
  • a still another object of the present invention is to provide a high-precision and lightweight clock which is simple in structure wherein a driving mechanism is mounted in the location extending from the driving shaft section to the tail end section of a hand so that the weight balance of the hand in long length can be satisfied without using any special balancer.
  • FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a flower clock to which the present invention is applied.
  • FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a clock.
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view showing driving mechanisms of a long hand and a short hand of the clock.
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a part of the driving mechanism of the FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 5 is a front view showing an example of a tower clock to which the present invention is applied.
  • FIGS. 1 through 4 show an example of a flower clock to which the present invention is applied.
  • the clock is installed on an upward base 4 shown in the FIG. 2.
  • the base 4 is the ground itself or a base is installed in the ground, and in the case of a clock which is installed on the exterior of a building, the base 4 is the surface of a wall itself or a base is installed on the surface of a wall.
  • the clock is a large-sized clock suitable for use outdoors and is provided with a second hand 21, long hand 17 and short hand 13.
  • a shaft 5 is erected on the base 4 by a metal fitting 6 as illustrated in the figure.
  • a countershaft 7 is fitted thereon and fixed by a bolt 8.
  • a short hand shaft 9 is fitted thereon and rotatably supported by bearings 10 and 11 so as to be rotated independently.
  • the short hand shaft 9 At the upper end of the short hand shaft 9, there is fixed the short hand 13.
  • a long hand shaft 14 At the outside of upper half portion of the countershaft 7, a long hand shaft 14 is rotatably fitted thereon and is supported by bearings 15 and 16 so as to be rotated independently.
  • the long hand shaft 14 there is fixed the long hand 7.
  • On the upper surface of the long hand 17 there is disposed a minute hand shaft 18 concentrically with the long hand 17, and the shaft is rotatably supported by bearings 19 and 20 so as to be rotated independently.
  • the minute hand 21 is fixed on the upper end of the minute hand shaft 18.
  • the long hand 17 and short hand 13 are formed hollow.
  • a charging type power source 31 controller 32 and motor 33.
  • the power source 31 is charged from a solar panel 34 arranged on the upper surface of tail end of the long hand 17 and supplies electricity to a driving circuit 35 of the controller 32 and motor 33.
  • the controller 32 transmits a driving pulse to the driving circuit 35 of the motor 33.
  • the pulse is generally transmitted at the ratio of one time/one minute, and the motor 33 rotates the long hand 17 one rotation per hour on the countershaft 7 through a reduction gear 36.
  • the solar panel 34 may be arranged at any location of any hand, however, it is preferable to arrange it on the outer surface where the sunlight is easily received.
  • the lower end of the long hand shaft 14 is positioned in the short hand 13 to be rotated relatively. This portion is connected with the short hand shaft 9 in the short hand 13 through a reduction gear 41 provided in the tail end section of the short hand 13 and a decelerating timing belt 42. A gear 43 and pulley 44 are rotatably supported by a shaft 45 arranged on the short hand 13. The speed reduction ratio between the reduction gear 41 and the decelerating timing belt 42 is set at 11:1.
  • the short hand shaft 9 performs one rotation in twelve hours with the short hand 13 relative to the countershaft 7 (FIGS. 3 and 4).
  • the motor 51 is connected with the lower end portion of the second hand shaft 18 located in the long hand 17 through a decelerating belt 50 and rotates the second hand 21 rotate one rotation in one minute relative to the countershaft 7. The time is thus indicated by movement of each hand 13, 17 and 21, and letter indication 52 shown in the FIG. 1.
  • a sensor 53 for detecting the long hand 17 when it has reached the position of 12 o'clock relative to the letter indication 52.
  • the sensor 53 is composed of a reed switch and is mounted on the long hand 17. The switch is turned on when the sensor has detected a pin 55 on a gear 54 which is fixed, and a signal is transmitted.
  • the sensor 56 is a photosensor composed of a light emitting device 56a and a light receiving device 56b.
  • the above-described reed switch may also be utilized.
  • the photosensor may also be utilized in place of the sensor 53 of said reed switch.
  • the controller 32 comprises, as illustrated in the FIG. 2, an oscillator 61 for oscillating the clock in the same frequency as that of the pulse, a counter 62 for counting it and a control circuit 63 which receives the count value from the counter 62, detected signals from each of the sensors 53 and 56, and clock from the oscillator 61.
  • the control circuit 63 normally receives pulse signals from the counter 62 every one minute and supplies electricity for each of the pulse to the driving circuit 35 whereby the rotation of the long hand, one rotation in an hour, is performed by intermittent rotation of every one minute.
  • the control circuit 63 maintains the transmission of motor driving pulse as usual.
  • the motor 33 is continuously rotated by maintaining the motor driving pulse under the state of continuous supply of electricity.
  • the delay of the hands 13 and 17 is thereby solved since the rotation of the long hand 17 and short hand 13 is extremely speeded up more than usual.
  • the control circuit 63 returns motor driving pulse to an ordinary state of operation.
  • An operation panel 71 is connected to the controller 32.
  • the time counted by the counter 62 is indicated through a window 74.
  • the time indicated is reset so as to make it the most nearest time to the present time by operating an hour reset button 72 provided on the operation panel 71.
  • the value counted by the counter 62 is reset at the time rectified. Accordingly, the positional control of the hands 13 and 17 is conducted on the basis of the reset time. In brief, when the button 72 is pressed on the hour, positions of the hands 13 and 17 can be rectified.
  • a count reset button 73 On the operation panel 71, there is also provided a count reset button 73.
  • the count reset button 73 When the count reset button 73 is pressed, the time indicated is reset at just 12 o'clock, and count value of the counter 62 is simultaneously reset at just 12 o'clock as well.
  • the button 73 when the button 73 is pressed, positions of the hands 13 and 17 can be rectified at the initial position of 12 o'clock.
  • the driving mechanism which is provided with a driving source and the driving mechanism which is not provided with a driving source may be connected with each other directly or indirectly as occasion requires.
  • the driving source, concrete structure of driving mechanism and concrete structure of supporting mechanism of each hand and the like may also be variably changed.
  • the number of hands may also be changed variably according to the requirement.
  • the driving mechanisms equipped for each one of the hands drive each hand to the necessary direction by relative rotation with the rotative shaft on which each hand is rotatably supported and cause each hand clocking rotation so that the whole clock mechanism may be arranged outside the support base on which the rotative shaft is supported.
  • the installation and repair as well as maintenance operations can thus be easily performed at a low cost.
  • Flower can be planted even at the central part of the base of the clock because there is not the driving mechanism thereat. Since the driving mechanisms are independently mounted on each hand and they can be decomposed separately, it contributes to easier maintenance operation.
  • the driving mechanism is housed in a hand, and it rotatively drives the hand without exposing itself to the outside. Simple indication may therefore be made with the same appearance as an ordinary clock.
  • the driving mechanisms are covered by each hand so that they are protected from wind and rain, dust and the like, and sufficient durability can be obtained. It is also advantageous that any special case is not required for the driving mechanisms.
  • each hand is equipped with a driving mechanism, and one of the driving mechanisms is provided with a driving source.
  • the driving mechanism which is provided with the driving source is connected with other driving mechanisms by speed ratio according to the speed ratio of each hand so that one driving source can be utilized for common use to drive each hand at the rotational speed each hand requires.
  • the driving mechanisms and control can thus be arranged simply and easily to lower various costs.
  • a solar panel is mounted as a power source for the driving source on the upper surface of the hand which is equipped with the driving source so that the driving source is fully driven by receiving sunlight as a source of energy.
  • the cost can therefore be curtailed. Since the power source and driving source can be connected with each other in the same hand, the connecting structure may be arranged simply at a low cost, and maintenance operation can be performed easily.
  • each one of the driving mechanisms is provided in the location extending from the rotative shaft section to the tail end side section of each hand, and the weight on the tail end side can be increased without changing the length so that the weight balance between the leading end side and the tail end side of each hand bounded by the rotative shaft can be satisfied without using any special balancing member. Stabilized operation can thus be performed with a simple structure, and a high precision clock can be provided at a moderate price. Since any special balancer is not required, the weight of the whole body is lightened, and it is advantageous to transport and installation operations.
  • FIG. 5 shows an example of a tower clock to which the present invention is applied.
  • a clock 101 in this embodiment is installed on an external wall 103 as a base which is on the pointed end portion of a tower 102, and a dial 103a is formed on the external wall 103.
  • a driving mechanism which drives a long hand 104 and short hand 105 is the same as that of the one described in the previous embodiment, and therefore, description and drawing of the driving mechanism will be omitted.
  • a control circuit 106 which controls the driving mechanism is provided with a receiving circuit 107 which is the only difference between the driving mechanism of the previous embodiment.
  • the control circuit 106 can be operated from the ground by a remote controller 109 which is provided with a transmitting circuit 108.
  • a remote controller 109 which is provided with a transmitting circuit 108.
  • the controller 109 there are provided a indication window 111 for indicating the time counted by a counter in the control circuit 106 and a count reset button 113 which is provided with the same function as that of the one described in the previous embodiment.
  • the button 113 is operated when the time indicated by the clock 101 is different from the reliable correct-time casting at the point of time of twelve o'clock as described in the previous embodiment.
  • an operating signal is transmitted to the receiving circuit 107 from the transmitting circuit 108, and the time is regulated at twelve o'clock by the action of the control circuit 106 according to the operating signal.
  • the method of the above-described remote control may be applied to the previous embodiment.
  • Various devices can be adopted into the remote control.
  • the indication window 111 can be provided.
  • the size for recognizing the time from the remote control site is required, however, the structure becomes simple.
  • the present invention When the present invention is applied to the tower clock as described above, an operation room which has been provided at the back of a conventional clock 101 is no longer necessary, and the clock can be disassembled and repaired from the outside.
  • the time indicated can be regulated by the remote control from the ground.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
US07/694,100 1990-07-17 1991-05-01 Clock Expired - Fee Related US5130956A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2189141A JP2563847B2 (ja) 1990-07-17 1990-07-17 時 計
JP2-189141 1990-07-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US5130956A true US5130956A (en) 1992-07-14

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US07/694,100 Expired - Fee Related US5130956A (en) 1990-07-17 1991-05-01 Clock

Country Status (5)

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US (1) US5130956A (ja)
JP (1) JP2563847B2 (ja)
DE (1) DE4119369A1 (ja)
FR (1) FR2664994B1 (ja)
GB (1) GB2246217B (ja)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050122844A1 (en) * 2002-07-09 2005-06-09 Tag Heuer Sa Clockwork movement for a wristwatch
CN100343766C (zh) * 2003-01-17 2007-10-17 孙德斌 塔钟机芯
CN105425575A (zh) * 2014-09-18 2016-03-23 宏达国际电子股份有限公司 具有能量采集功能的计时器
CN108475042A (zh) * 2015-12-11 2018-08-31 斯沃奇集团研究和开发有限公司 具有太阳能指针的例如手表或测量仪器的便携式物体
US20220179371A1 (en) * 2019-04-02 2022-06-09 Sony Group Corporation Timepiece, azimuth detection method, and program

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0617805B1 (de) * 1992-10-16 1996-03-13 HUBER, Franz Elektronische analognebenuhr mit zeigerlängen zwischen 250 und 600 mm
GB9306562D0 (en) * 1993-03-30 1993-05-26 Boaz John A novelty clock
FR2728087A1 (fr) * 1994-12-13 1996-06-14 Gorgy Timing Procede et dispositif de fonctionnement d'une horloge et horloge munie de ce dispositif et mettant en oeuvre ce procede
AT413306B (de) * 2003-11-18 2006-01-15 Stefan Mag Degn Analoguhr
CN107179680A (zh) * 2017-05-23 2017-09-19 肇庆学院 一种可充电式手表

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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US407945A (en) * 1889-07-30 Electric clock for use in exposed places
US462000A (en) * 1891-10-27 Clock
US517594A (en) * 1894-04-03 Job smith
US781505A (en) * 1904-04-25 1905-01-31 Philip Carlton Engle Timepiece.
US3852953A (en) * 1972-04-12 1974-12-10 S Mischiatti Control and synchronisation of clocks
US4023344A (en) * 1975-09-03 1977-05-17 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Automatically corrected electronic timepiece
US4676662A (en) * 1985-12-16 1987-06-30 Chiaki Sekido Large clock driven by solar cell
US5025429A (en) * 1988-12-29 1991-06-18 Seikosha Co., Ltd. Electric power supply device for hand with load

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DE134905C (ja) *
US1085206A (en) * 1911-04-25 1914-01-27 Horstman Mfg Company Horological instrument.
DE1444141U (ja) * 1937-10-30 1938-09-03
JPS5832380U (ja) * 1981-08-20 1983-03-02 株式会社精工舎 時計の時刻指示機構
JPS60131886U (ja) * 1984-02-10 1985-09-03 株式会社精工舎 時計などの指針
DE3439189A1 (de) * 1984-10-26 1986-04-30 Kieninger & Obergfell, Fabrik für technische Laufwerke und Apparate GmbH & Co, 7742 St Georgen Uhr mit unsichtbarem antriebswerk
JPH0618315Y2 (ja) * 1986-02-12 1994-05-11 カシオ計算機株式会社 針式時計
DE3832271A1 (de) * 1987-09-25 1989-04-13 Seikosha Kk Uhr mit stundenzeiger, minutenzeiger und sekundenzeiger
DE3918637A1 (de) * 1989-06-08 1989-12-14 Huber Franz Elektronische analognebenuhrmit zeigerlaengen bis 600 mm

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US407945A (en) * 1889-07-30 Electric clock for use in exposed places
US462000A (en) * 1891-10-27 Clock
US517594A (en) * 1894-04-03 Job smith
US781505A (en) * 1904-04-25 1905-01-31 Philip Carlton Engle Timepiece.
US3852953A (en) * 1972-04-12 1974-12-10 S Mischiatti Control and synchronisation of clocks
US4023344A (en) * 1975-09-03 1977-05-17 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Automatically corrected electronic timepiece
US4676662A (en) * 1985-12-16 1987-06-30 Chiaki Sekido Large clock driven by solar cell
US5025429A (en) * 1988-12-29 1991-06-18 Seikosha Co., Ltd. Electric power supply device for hand with load

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050122844A1 (en) * 2002-07-09 2005-06-09 Tag Heuer Sa Clockwork movement for a wristwatch
US7697376B2 (en) * 2002-07-09 2010-04-13 Tag Heuer Sa Clockwork movement for a wristwatch
US8498180B2 (en) 2002-07-09 2013-07-30 Lvmh Swiss Manufactures Sa Clock work movement for a wristwatch
US8976629B2 (en) 2002-07-09 2015-03-10 Lvmh Swiss Manufactures Sa Clock work movement for a wristwatch
CN100343766C (zh) * 2003-01-17 2007-10-17 孙德斌 塔钟机芯
CN105425575A (zh) * 2014-09-18 2016-03-23 宏达国际电子股份有限公司 具有能量采集功能的计时器
US20160139565A1 (en) * 2014-09-18 2016-05-19 Htc Corporation Energy Harvesting Timer
CN105425575B (zh) * 2014-09-18 2017-10-13 宏达国际电子股份有限公司 具有能量采集功能的计时器
US10250062B2 (en) * 2014-09-18 2019-04-02 Htc Corporation Energy harvesting timer
CN108475042A (zh) * 2015-12-11 2018-08-31 斯沃奇集团研究和开发有限公司 具有太阳能指针的例如手表或测量仪器的便携式物体
US10768578B2 (en) 2015-12-11 2020-09-08 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Solar hand for a portable object such as a watch or a measuring instrument
US20220179371A1 (en) * 2019-04-02 2022-06-09 Sony Group Corporation Timepiece, azimuth detection method, and program

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2664994B1 (fr) 1996-10-25
JPH0476488A (ja) 1992-03-11
GB9111734D0 (en) 1991-07-24
DE4119369C2 (ja) 1993-06-09
JP2563847B2 (ja) 1996-12-18
GB2246217A (en) 1992-01-22
GB2246217B (en) 1994-06-08
DE4119369A1 (de) 1992-01-23
FR2664994A1 (fr) 1992-01-24

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